THE VETERANS' PRESS: Securing survivor benefits

Pension

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.

Death Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

For a spouse to receive DIC VA Benefits, a service-connected disability or one presumptive of military service must be listed on the death certificate as a primary cause of death or a contributing cause of death.

Be sure the person that will sign the veteran’s death certificate (at the funeral home or a medical person at a hospital) is aware of any and all service-connected disabilities that could have caused or contributed to the veteran’s death.

This will help the spouse file a successful claim to receive VA benefits after the veteran’s death.

Attention veterans and families! You cannot wait until the veteran dies to start your quest for survivor benefits! To make sure you get the benefits earned and deserved, you have to make sure the death certificate is completed as noted above. To get additional information or help go to https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/ or seek help for the resources listed in the “How can I get help” section in this publication.